The holy week: faith and traditions.
The link with the local traditions is still very alive all over the island, as reflected in particular in the religious festivities. Everywhere in Sardinia, “Sa Chida Santa” (the holy week) is characterised by rituals, processions and songs that are particularly striking and charming. Despite some variants, they are similar in every part of the region and mostly date back to the Spanish domination.
The “Lunissanti procession” opens the holy week in the medieval village of Castelsardo where, at the nightfall, people turn off all the electric lights and only oil-lamps are allowed to illuminate the path of the hooded apostles in white robes carrying the Mysteries (statues representing the different moments of the Passion of Christ). Three choirs accompany them: Lu Miserere, Lu Stabat and Lu Jesu, medieval songs still faithful to the originals after centuries, creating a very emotional atmosphere.
On the holy Friday, people in Sardinia celebrate the ancient ritual of s’iscravamentu: the deposition of Chist from the cross, followed by a procession. The most participated one takes place in Alghero during the night, with a soft street lighting. At the light of the red torches, called farols, women dressed in mourning and wearing black lace headgears parade through the town.
On Easter morning, celebrations begin with the ritual of S’Incontru: the meeting between the Virgin Mary and her Risen Son. The two statues depart from different churches and meet before the solemn Mass.
This unchanged ritual takes place every year in many towns and villages of Sardinia, but there is a place where it probably is more evocative than elsewhere. We are talking about Oliena, in the Barbagia region, where the meeting attracts many participants and it is celebrated by some blank shots to the sky from roofs, terraces and the churchyard. Do not miss the ritual breads and sweets linked to this period of the year: they have no equal.
